Judge Norina Zainol Abidin set the dates during case management today after the prosecution indicated that it was ready to proceed with the case.

Deputy public prosecutor Mustaffa P Kunyalam told the court that around 20 witnesses would be called to testify.

“We will prepare witness statements for them,” he added.

The trial will run from Sept 30 to Oct 3 and Oct 7 to 11.

Norina also granted the prosecution’s request to amend the bullet possession charge, brought against Avitan under Section 8 of the Arms Act 1960, by increasing the alleged number of bullets to 200, from 158.

Avitan maintained his not guilty plea to the amended charge.

He was alleged to have committed the offence at a hotel in Jalan Ampang here between March 26 and 28.

The maximum punishment for the possession of bullets is seven years’ jail, a fine of no more than RM10,000, or both, upon conviction.

Avitan also faces one charge under Section 7(1) of the Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act 1971 for trafficking in six guns.

If found guilty of gun trafficking, Avitan could face a jail term of between 30 and 40 years and a maximum six strokes of the rotan.

Lawyers Jeffrey Ooi and Navinjit Singh represented Avitan while deputy public prosecutors Shafiq Hasim and Fazeedah Faik also appeared for the prosecution.